President Edgar Lungu delivered what will go down in history as probably the most monumental speech of his Presidency when opening the Fifth session of Eleventh National Assembly in Lusaka on September 18, 2015, declaring he would initiate legislation to repeal the law that requires ‘Government to build a house for former State presidents as a cost-saving measure and promotion of equity among constitutional office bearers’.
In what was no doubt one of the most revolutionary speeches by a head of State of our time, President Lungu demonstrated that he intends to serve and not enrich himself at the expense of other citizens, outlining his vision for Zambia for the next 50 years.
His concluding remarks were particularly telling. He declared:
“I implore this House (National Assembly) and the nation at large to embark on a new journey of cultural transformation for a smart Zambia in order to consolidate our independence and accelerate socio-economic progress.
In pursuit of the virtues of equity and our aspirations for a smart Zambia, I wish to announce changes to the law that provides for benefits for retired presidents. I do not think that it is fair and equitable that the State must build a house for a retired President and not for others.
We have to demonstrate strong commitment to cost-saving measures for now and the future. I am proposing that forfeiture takes effect starting with me.
The need for reform of pension packages for all constitutional office holders is a matter that we must collectively interrogate because these pensions were fit for purpose at the time when they were passed but not any longer.
Let us, therefore, interrogate these laws with an open mind with a view to streamlining them in line with the realities of today.
As I conclude, I would like to once again call on all Zambians at home and in the Diaspora to focus and align our energies with a sense of common purpose, urgency and resilience to fulfill our national aspiration to be a developed country by 2064.
For those of us in the political arena, my appeal is that ‘let us conduct issue-based’ politics. Let us reject politics of character-assassination and the culture of insults, tribalism and regionalism, which have crept into our politics.
These vices are unChristian and very unZambian! Let us put a stop to this and concern ourselves with real issues that affect the greater majority of our people. We have a duty to rapidly transform Zambia into a thriving society that assures all its citizens of expanding business, education, training and employment opportunities.
This will in turn deliver rising productivity, incomes, greater prosperity, inclusiveness and national cohesion.
Like our forefathers, who pioneered our struggle for independence and self-determination, let us be pioneers in rapid and inclusive socio-economic and cultural transformation for a smart Zambia. This is the historic mission of our generation.
A fair, just and humane society is possible. We are an aspiration nation that has risen above major challenges in the past. We have to work towards building a fair society united in peaceful commerce, a Zambia which will offer a rendezvous of opportunity for all. We must all aspire for a Zambia that speaks to the interest of Zambians. Let us put Zambia first and self (ego) second.
At the stroke of midnight on 24th October, 2064, Zambia should awaken to one undeniable truth and reality: that ours was a generation of achievers, a generation of men and women who, propelled by the energy of patriotism and changed this country forever.
Co-existence is the key word here and the spirit of our founding father of the nation Dr Kenneth Kaunda who encouraged us to always live by the motto of: ‘One Zambia and One Nation’
Let us concentrate, fellow countrymen, and women on that which unites us not that which divides us. We inherited this beautiful country for our children and not for ourselves. Let us work together to make it better for them. Let us heal its defects and make it a better place.
Hate, bitterness, contempt and envy are evil vices that have no place in a society like ours. We are above that. We are a Christian nation. Let me take this opportunity to announce that I have proclaimed 18th October 2015 as a Day of National Player, and Fasting for reconciliation, forgiveness and generally to encourage the nation to seek the face of God.
I have absolutely no doubt that the living God who guided our forefathers will guide us in our current endeavours. We are an inspiration nation! We are a nation of faith. We are a Christian nation!”
President Lungu’s stance on the law that makes it obligatory for Government to build retired presidents a house is cardinal in many ways.
With the deaths of three former Republican presidents, the law certainly deserves to be revisited.  Second Republican President Dr Frederick Titus Jacob (FTJ) Chiluba died in 2012 after serving two five-year terms. Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa died in 2008 after serving seven years in office and Mr Michael Chilufya Sata died in 2014, three years after his accession to power following the September 2011 elections.
Against this scenario most serious people would agree with President Lungu’s stance on the proviso because it has not only lost its meaning but it has also become an expensive burden on a cash-strapped government that needs every ngwee if  its war against poverty and disease in the country is to make any headway.
It also raises the question of whether fourth Republican president Rupiah ‘Bwezani’ Banda, who served for only three (instead of five) years should have a house built for him by Government, as required under the current constitution? And what happens to first President Dr Kaunda’s house in Lusaka? If the law were to be abolished, would it mean he is going to be the first and only one to have had a ‘state-house’ built for him while at the same time enjoying other perks as outlined under the Act?
Most would argue, and rightly so, that as founding president who steered Zambia to freedom from British colonialism and held the nation together throughout the turbulent years of UDI (unilateral declaration of independence) in white-ruled Southern Rhodesia, coupled with his sterling role in the battle against apartheid in South Africa, Dr Kaunda deserves it.
When he was still in power between 1964 and 1991 Dr Kaunda often used to state that he did not want to create capitalists out of Zambians, hence his Leadership Code and desire to create an egalitarian society anchored on the philosophy of Humanism.
I remember, too, the fact that Dr Kaunda frequently declared that when ‘the people of Zambia no longer need me (as Head of state) I will go back to the land’ – meaning he would retire peacefully to his countryside farm house at ‘Shambalakale’ in Chinsali District (which was then part of Northern Province until it was ceded to the newly created Muchinga Province by president Michael Sata in 2011).
Given its role in Zambia’s struggle for political independence, Shambalakale or its ‘vestiges’, I believe, should be declared a National Heritage Site (I am not aware if it has been designated as one) and developed into a viable tourism-spot capable of attracting visitors and researchers from across the globe.
Also now that President Lungu’s administration has reconstituted what was known in the immediate post-independence period as Indeco (Industrial Development Corporation into the Industrial Development Agency (IDA), and under his chairmanship, Government must take an inventory of all former Indeco properties, including housing units and flats sold to the so-called ‘sitting’ tenants by the Chiluba administration.
I am saying this because reports – or should I say rumours – abound that abuses and corruption marred the well-intended exercise (to empower Zambians) but which was hijacked by some greedy and egoistic characters.
I remember my wife  and I driving all the way from Botswana hoping to buy one of the houses previously owned by a foreign company in Ndola’s Itawa Township which was near our former company house in Buchetekelo Road. The company was selling its properties because it was said to be divesting from Zambia. So we went to this particular multinational company’s Head offices in Ndola’s Industrial Sites near the Zambia Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds.
The Human Resources Manager and Real estate manager confirmed the sale and advised us to apply in writing; which we did.
But following up the issue two weeks later, we were told their management had ‘received instructions from State House’ in Lusaka that the houses were no longer to be sold and since orders had come State House there was nothing they could do about it, adding that we should (if still interested) apply for houses owned by the same company in Chingola.
Since we were given the house numbers and street names of some of the units on sale, we drove from Ndola to Chingola and identified one of the company houses located on Chikola Road’ immediately after the roundabout as you enter Chingola from Kitwe.
Upon introducing ourselves as prospective occupants, the security guard on duty opened the gate for us and we inspected the place. It was a beautiful cottage with a swimming pool and servant quarters. We had the means to pay for it and advised management officials in Ndola to prepare the necessary documents for Chingola house, but again we were told: ‘State House had issued instructions’ not to sell – apparently on the pretext that the said international company had reversed their move and were not relocating from Zambia after all. All my goodness!
To say the least we were naturally devastated as a family because it was proving to be an uphill battle against unknown forces. This is just a tip of the iceberg. Many people, if given a chance to testify, would have their own stories to tell.
As a matter of fact some people – not only the ‘aggrieved parties’ but the fair-minded individuals believe that a sober and diligent review of the ‘sell-to-sitting-tenant’ housing scheme (throughout the country) by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other relevant State agencies would unearth the truth as to who bought what or who ‘grabbed’ what property that belongs to the people, the taxpayers.
Lest some people have forgotten, due to amnesia, when MMD came to power in 1991, President Chiluba and later Dr Mwanawasa repossessed what was to become ‘UNIP House’ along Independence Avenue on the grounds that it was constructed using State funds. Similarly, the Times of Zambia, bought from a private company as a party paper, was forfeited to the State.
Now fellow Zambians, if former heads of state are going to forfeit some of their entitlements, surely anyone found and proven to have acquired some property or properties through dubious means, fraudulent or even corrupt practices must not be allowed to get away with it. Justice, as President Lungu and other leaders keep on emphasising, must manifestly be seen to be done because there should be no sacred cows as all Zambians (and resident expatriates) are equal before the law.
That is the equity (for the next 50 years) the President is propounding. His statement cannot be said to be ‘electioneering’ but admonishing all Zambians to lead a clean and honest life for the common good of everyone.
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